new skeet shooter

[BerniePEI]

You're the master, but are you sure about this? I am right handed, but if I did as you say, from 2,3,4,5,and 6, I would have no room to move on any low targets? I generally stand for my planned break point, but if I did not have a plan, belly towards the centre stake would be a good compromise.

I'm sure Brad is sure, I'm sure Todd Bender is sure, and I'm sure... although I don't generally belong in the same sentence as the first two.

There are only 25 targets, so there is no need to "not have a plan." If you want to break targets consistently, do what the consistent guys like Bender and McRae do. Keep it simple and consistent - start with your belly button towards the house.

After that, it's just a matter of getting your mind out of the way and smashing targets.

 

[BerniePEI]

Oh, and the OP was asking about consistency. Shooting gun-down is not going to lead to consistency nearly as quickly as the standard American skeet form of gun-up. Better practice for hunting - yes. Better for a beginner wanting consistent skeet scores - no.

 

[Covey Ridge]

I'm sure Brad is sure, I'm sure Todd Bender is sure, and I'm sure... although I don't generally belong in the same sentence as the first two.
There are only 25 targets, so there is no need to "not have a plan." If you want to break targets consistently, do what the consistent guys like Bender and McRae do. Keep it simple and consistent - start with your belly button towards the house.

After that, it's just a matter of getting your mind out of the way and smashing targets.

I said but if I did not have a plan, not that I did not have a plan. If it was my determination to be a skeet shooter, I would probably try to imitate Mr. Bender. Since most sporting courses do not throw regulation skeet targets I see no need to do the regulation skeet thing including the belly thing. bmcrae answered my question to clarify handling low targets with my belly to the house. As some people see lead at the barrel and some people see lead at the target, I choose to set my position with my feet instead of my belly.

 

[Covey Ridge]

Oh, and the OP was asking about consistency. Shooting gun-down is not going to lead to consistency nearly as quickly as the standard American skeet form of gun-up. Better practice for hunting - yes. Better for a beginner wanting consistent skeet scores - no.

Hope you do not think I was advocating shooting skeet gun down. I was not! That came up as a side conversation with catnthehat where he gave me some useful information, and I told him I shoot a form of gun down as well. I think that skeet shooters would do well to practice doing the same thing the same way every time and time after time because for most of the time targets are doing the same thing time after time. A premounted gun seems to be the prefered method.

 

[Covey Ridge]

Today it feels like spring here in Alberta. Decided to burn off the remains of winter and break some clay. After a few rounds of 16 yards and doubles I managed a round of skeet. Did not think of this thread til I was setting up on station 3. I set up in my usual way with my feet comfortable for the break. Guess what? My belly was pointed at the low house each and every time! Brad and Cat, you were right! Don't know why I could not get my mind wrapped around that point when Brad first mentioned it Long winter must have made my brain constipated Lucky I do not use too much of my brain to shoot

 

[BCFred]

I choose to set my position with my feet instead of my belly.

This comment sparked a thought. I've been going along pointing my feet and belly button at the low house (right hand shooter). I bring the gun to the point I'm going to take the bird, maybe even a bit past, and then move it to the gun hold point before calling for the bird (as previously described). The movement makes me feel steadier than if I just aim. On some doubles I have been easing the position of my left foot a bit back toward the high house to make it easier to take the second bird. So far, I'm quite comfortable with this and my swing on the second bird feels a bit smoother.

 

[Neera]

Long before anyone ever heard of Todd Bender, the old "masters" of the game pretty much all talked about foot position....and getting set up for your break point which should be before the center stake.....or at the very outside....AT the center stake but no later for the outgoing targets. And after the center stake...on your side of the field for the incoming targets. By doing this guess where a right hander's belly points? It's pretty darn close to the low house. Not until Bender started teaching and putting out his videos did everyone then start to use that "belly at the low house" reference. Guess he figured it would be easier for his students to remember than foot positions at each station.

Speaking for right handers here....whether one uses the "old masters" method and you think about feet....or Bender's method and think about belly....the fact remains both methods pretty much will put you in just about the same position.....that being that you're comfortable at the point at which you take the shot.

I was taught...."uncomfortable calling for the target...comfortable breaking the target". I think that general rule of thumb still applies...no matter what one thinks about when setting up....feet or belly.

 

[catnthehatt]

Long before anyone ever heard of Todd Bender, the old "masters" of the game pretty much all talked about foot position....and getting set up for your break point which should be before the center stake.....or at the very outside....AT the center stake but no later for the outgoing targets. And after the center stake...on your side of the field for the incoming targets. By doing this guess where a right hander's belly points? It's pretty darn close to the low house. Not until Bender started teaching and putting out his videos did everyone then start to use that "belly at the low house" reference. Guess he figured it would be easier for his students to remember than foot positions at each station.

Speaking for right handers here....whether one uses the "old masters" method and you think about feet....or Bender's method and think about belly....the fact remains both methods pretty much will put you in just about the same position.....that being that you're comfortable at the point at which you take the shot.

I was taught...."uncomfortable calling for the target...comfortable breaking the target". I think that general rule of thumb still applies...no matter what one thinks about when setting up....feet or belly.

I've never watched a Todd bender video.
I used to follow Barney Hartman's foot placement advice.
I switched a bout 10 years ago , because pointing my buckle at the house is close to the same, and I quit shooting registered targets anyway.
Starting from the gun down and from the gun at my waist even, is better for hunting practise for me.
Cat

 

[Win/64]

Today it feels like spring here in Alberta. Decided to burn off the remains of winter and break some clay. After a few rounds of 16 yards and doubles I managed a round of skeet. Did not think of this thread til I was setting up on station 3. I set up in my usual way with my feet comfortable for the break. Guess what? My belly was pointed at the low house each and every time! Brad and Cat, you were right! Don't know why I could not get my mind wrapped around that point when Brad first mentioned it Long winter must have made my brain constipated Lucky I do not use too much of my brain to shoot

Looks like you don't use much of your brain to post either.